Tag: 2023 MLB draft

Riley Cooper electing to turn pro, will sign with Orioles

Riley Cooper will not return to LSU, leaving a hole at the backend of the bullpen.

One of LSU’s top bullpen arms decided to turn pro.

The Baltimore Orioles selected [autotag]Riley Cooper[/autotag] in the 13th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Cooper saw his stock shoot up over the last month of the season where he emerged as Jay Johnson’s most trusted reliever.

Cooper followed Johnson to LSU from Arizona in 2021 and posted a 4.20 ERA as a sophomore.

But Cooper went on a tear to close his career with a 2.63 ERA over his last 32.2 innings. He appeared five times in the College World Series and allowed just one run. Every aspect of his arsenal improved and the Orioles likely see something in his attacking style.

It does leave some questions about the backend of LSU’s pen. Some thought Cooper would return to LSU entering the draft, but now LSU will need to find a new shutdown man.

The Tigers have already pulled several good relievers from the portal and have some options in-house too. [autotag]Gavin Guidry[/autotag], for one.

Cooper was one of 13 LSU players to be drafted.

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Alabama SS Jim Jarvis selected in 11th round by Detroit Tigers

Alabama shortstop Jim Jarvis was drafted at pick No. 320 by the Detroit Tigers. He was one of six Alabama players selected in the 2023 MLB Draft.

It has been a long time coming for Alabama shortstop Jim Jarvis. The California native saw four years worth of hard work pay off on Tuesday as he was drafted at pick No. 320 by the Detroit Tigers.

Jarvis was one of six Alabama players drafted in the 2023 MLB draft. He became the first player since former Alabama starting pitcher Dylan Smith to have been drafted by the Tigers. Smith was drafted in the third round of the 2021 MLB draft.

While Jarvis has one year of eligibility remaining, all signs indicate that he will forgo his final college season and begin his professional career with the Tigers organization.

In four seasons at Alabama, Jarvis held a .262 batting average with 10 home runs and 75 runs batted in. Out of the 196 games that Jarvis played in, he made 193 starts.

While Jarvis was a factor at the plate, he might be better known for his defense. As a senior, Jarvis was honored with an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove. He was the third player in program history to have received the Gold Glove which is the top defensive accolade in college baseball.

Jarvis was a trailblazer for the Crimson Tide in several different ways. It will certainly be tough to replace Jarvis as a leader and as a player.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama baseball program.

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Alabama RHP Garrett McMillan drafted in 14th round by Pittsburgh Pirates

Alabama starting pitcher Garrett McMillan was drafted in the 14th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Day 3 of the 2023 MLB draft.

Alabama right-handed pitcher Garrett McMillan was drafted at pick No. 407 (14th round) by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Day 3 of the 2023 MLB draft. He became the sixth Alabama player drafted and the second player to be drafted by the Pirates. Alabama left-handed pitcher Hunter Furtado was drafted in the sixth round by the Pirates.

McMillan was drafted at pick No. 564 (19th round) by the Minnesota Twins in the 2022 MLB draft. Instead of pursuing the professional path, McMillan elected to return to Alabama for his senior season.

Before the start of his senior season, McMillan suffered a shoulder injury which caused him to miss the first six weeks of the season.

He was a factor on the mound for the Crimson Tide down the stretch, however. The Tuscaloosa native finished the season with a 4-2 record and a 4.89 ERA. Opponents held a .231 batting average against McMillan.

McMillan has the option to return to Tuscaloosa for his final season or go ahead and begin his professional career in the Pirates organization. That is something that Roll Tide Wire will continue to monitor in the coming weeks.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama baseball program.

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Every Texas A&M Aggie selected in the 2023 MLB Draft

Texas A&M is the only school in the nation to have three or more players picked in every MLB Draft since 2001, marking an unmatched 22-year streak.

The 2023 MLB Draft is officially in the books, and there was no shortage of Texas A&M prospects hearing their names called over the course of the three-day event.

While no one from the Maroon and White heard their name called on Day 1, the Aggies more than made up for it with six total selections across Days 2 and 3. In the aftermath, Texas A&M has had at least two players selected in every draft since 1984, which is the longest streak in the country. The Aggies also boast the achievement of being the only school in the nation to have three or more players picked in every MLB Draft since 2001.

That 22-year streak is three years longer than the next-closest active run, which is 19 years by the Vanderbilt Commodores.

There is plenty to be excited about at the moment if you’re an Aggie baseball fan, from the home run hiring of Max Weiner as Texas A&M’s new pitching coach to the trio of Aggie signees that withdrew their name from the MLB Draft, thus joining the program in 2024. And while the departures of the six Aggies who heard their names called is bittersweet, it’s rewarding to know they will represent the Maroon and White to the fullest at the next level.

Here is the rundown of every Aggie that was selected in the 2023 MLB Draft. Congratulations to all, and of course, BTHO the majors!

Alabama LHP Hunter Furtado selected in sixth round by Pittsburgh Pirates

Alabama left-handed pitcher Hunter Furtado was drafted No. 167 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Furtado could elect to return to school or beging his professional career in the Pirates organization.

Alabama left-handed pitcher Hunter Furtado was drafted with the No. 167 pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Day 2 of the 2023 MLB Draft.

Coming out of high school, Furtado signed to play for Wake Forest. In 22 games, he finished with a 1-4 record and a 6.31 ERA. Following his freshman season with the Demon Deacons, Furtado transferred to Alabama.

Over the past two seasons, Furtado has been primarily used as a relief pitcher. As a sophomore, Furtado finished the season with a 3-2 record and a 6.47 ERA.

During his junior season, Furtado saw time as both a starter and reliever. In 36 innings, he earned a 1-1 record and a 4.75 ERA.

Now, Furtado will decide whether or not he wants to return to Alabama next season. If he elects not to, he will begin his professional career in the Pirates organization.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama baseball program.

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Brayden Jobert drafted by Cardinals in 12th round

Another one of the unsung heroes for LSU this season has been picked in the 2023 MLB draft.

Another one of the unsung heroes for LSU this season has been picked in the 2023 MLB draft. Right fielder [autotag]Brayden Jobert[/autotag] was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 12th round.

Jobert had a .301 batting average this year as he hit 11 doubles, two triples, 14 homers, and 49 RBI. He was the Tigers’ CWS leader in home runs (3), and he was second on the club in CWS RBI (7). He is also scheduled to graduate from LSU in the summer of 2023 with a degree in sports administration.

Jobert’s performance in the winner-take-all game three against Florida is a performance that Tiger fans will remember for a long time. He finished the night 4-for-7 with three runs scored, one double, one homer, and three RBI.

Jobert lands in a nice spot in St. Louis. He still has the option to stay in Baton Rouge or go pro. If he goes pro, he will be sent to one of the Cardinals’ minor league teams to begin his career.

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Florida 3B Colby Halter drafted by Oakland Athletics in 17th round

Colby Halter was the final Gator picked in the 2023 MLB Draft, but is there a chance he returns to the Swamp?

The Oakland Athletics selected [autotag]Colby Halter[/autotag] with the 496th overall pick of the 2023 MLB draft.

Day 3 selections don’t have slot values assigned to them, but anything over $150,000 comes out of a team’s bonus pool, according to Baseball America. That bonus pool money isn’t untouchable, but it is typically reserved for wooing high school players away from commitments.

Halter might not be the ideal candidate for a massive deal, which begs the question of whether he will return or not. It all comes down to money, but Halter just watched Josh Rivera gamble on himself and end up as a third-round pick.

While Halter’s .247/.354/.397 slash line may be somewhat underwhelming, his metrics paint a promising picture. Halter lowered his strikeout rate from 22.4% to 15.7% in 2023 and also started walking a bit more (10.2% to 11.6%).

His home run-per-fly ball rate was an incredibly low 4.0%, which suggests some unluckiness at the plate. Halter’s fly ball rate was higher than ever, though, jumping from 38.3% to 52.9% year over year. A little more muscle could call for a power surge from Halter in 2024 if he does return.

At the end of the day, the A’s can meet whatever number Halter gives and end all the speculation, but anyone who follows baseball knows that Oakland isn’t the most liberal with money.

If he does leave, Halter departs Florida with a career .259 average, a .354 on-base percentage, a .405 slugging percentage, 151 hits, 31 doubles, 14 home runs and 89 runs batted in over 163 starts in 173 games.

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Blake Money drafted by Orioles in 12th round

Blake Money has finally heard his name called in the MLB draft as the Baltimore Orioles have taken the big man in the 12th round.

[autotag]Blake Money[/autotag] has finally heard his name called in the MLB sraft as the Baltimore Orioles have taken the big man in the 12th round.

Money has floated around from being a starter to a reliever multiple times so he could never really find his groove. He finished last season with a 1-0 record and a 5.97 ERA as he struck out 30 hitters and walked 12 in his 20 appearances. One thing no one can take away from him is the fact that he is a national champion.

He lands in a good spot in Baltimore as the Orioles are in bad need of pitching help. The Orioles have a team ERA of 4.14 so far this year as they are fighting for a wild card spot halfway through the season.

Money has the option to return to LSU if he chooses. Otherwise, he will sign with Baltimore and be dealt to one of their minor league clubs.

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Top LSU signee Cameron Johnson drafted in 20th round by Cardinals

One of the top prospects in LSU’s 2023 signing class finally heard his name called.

One of LSU’s top prospects in the 2023 class finally heard his name called after a lengthy wait in the MLB draft.

[autotag]Cameron Johnson[/autotag], the No. 2 left-handed pitcher and No. 11 prospect nationally in his recruiting class according to Perfect Game, went to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 20th round with the 605th pick.

Johnson was a guy who many expected to go earlier in the draft, but his falling bodes well for his chances of ending up in Baton Rouge. He’s the second highest-rated prospect in LSU’s class, behind No. 8 pick Blake Mitchell, who is almost certainly going pro after he was picked by the Kansas City Royals.

We’ll have to wait and see if he ultimately chooses to sign with the Cardinals, but coach Jay Johnson has to like his chances of getting the talented lefty from IMG Academy in Florida to campus.

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LSU reliever Garrett Edwards goes to the Rays in Round 11

Garrett Edwards has heard his name called in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB draft.

[autotag]Garrett Edwards[/autotag] has heard his name called in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He was picked by the Tampa Bay Rays.

He will join [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] in the minor leagues as he begins his path to the majors. Edwards is coming off his best season on the bayou. He had a 4-0 record with a 1.93 ERA as he struck out 27 hitters and only walked five out of the bullpen.

Edwards got roughed up in his last outing of the season against South Carolina, but his stuff is still really good. He makes a lot of hitters swing-and-miss and he forces a lot of ground balls. That is a big reason why he was picked.

Edwards has the option to come back to school if he chooses, but he would be in a good situation in Tampa Bay. According to The Advocate’s Leah Vann, he received fifth-round caliber money.

The Rays are the best team in the American League right now, and they do a good job developing pitchers.

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